The Herbstreit Legacy: Where Kirk Herbstreit's Four Sons Are Playing College Football In 2025

The Herbstreit family is arguably the most famous family dynasty in college football today, and as of late 2025, the four sons of ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit and his wife Alison are creating their own headlines across the sport. The biggest news dominating the college football landscape is the shocking commitment of the youngest son, Chase Herbstreit, to the Michigan Wolverines—the arch-rival of his father's alma mater, the Ohio State Buckeyes. This development, alongside the professional moves of his older brothers, confirms that the Herbstreit name is set to be a fixture in the sport for years to come, extending far beyond the *College GameDay* set. The current date is December 15, 2025, and the latest updates show a family deeply entrenched in the sport, with sons playing for or working with three of the nation's premier programs: Ohio State, Michigan, and Clemson.

Complete Biography: The Four Sons of Kirk Herbstreit

Kirk Herbstreit and his wife, Alison Butler Herbstreit, a former Ohio State cheerleader, have four sons: twin brothers Jake and Tye, Zak, and Chase. Their careers span multiple positions and major college football programs, creating a fascinating "house divided" narrative that Kirk often discusses.

• Name: Jake Herbstreit (Twin)
• College: Ohio State Buckeyes (Previously Clemson Tigers)
• Position: Cornerback (CB)
• Status: Began as a preferred walk-on at Clemson before transferring to Ohio State.

• Name: Tye Herbstreit (Twin)
• College: Clemson Tigers
• Position: Wide Receiver (WR)
• Status: Currently on the Clemson roster, listed as a Wide Receiver. He was a preferred walk-on at Clemson.

• Name: Zak Herbstreit
• College: Ohio State Buckeyes (Graduated/Alumnus)
• Position: Tight End (TE)
• Status: Recently transitioned from player to media personality after winning the College Football Playoff National Championship with Ohio State in 2025.

• Name: Chase Herbstreit
• College: University of Michigan Wolverines
• Position: Quarterback (QB)
• Status: Class of 2025 commit who enrolled at Michigan in June 2025. He played high school football at St. Xavier in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The Rivalry Shock: Chase Herbstreit's Michigan Commitment

The biggest and most talked-about story involving the Herbstreit family in 2025 is the decision of the youngest son, Chase Herbstreit, to commit to the University of Michigan. This move sent shockwaves through the college football world, primarily because Kirk Herbstreit is a former Ohio State quarterback and a lifelong, passionate Buckeye fan and alumnus.

Chase, a quarterback in the 2025 recruiting class, chose the Wolverines over other top programs. The commitment to the *other* side of "The Game" instantly created an unprecedented storyline for the family. Kirk Herbstreit has publicly addressed the decision, explaining that his goal was always for his sons to find the best fit for their own college football careers, regardless of his personal history or allegiances.

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Chase's enrollment at Michigan in June 2025 means that the Herbstreit household is now truly a "house divided," a narrative that will only intensify as he begins his career under head coach Sherrone Moore. This storyline adds a fascinating layer to the already intense Ohio State-Michigan rivalry, with the son of an Ohio State legend now wearing the maize and blue.

From National Champion to National Analyst: Zak Herbstreit's New Career

While Chase is just beginning his journey, his older brother, Zak Herbstreit, has already made a significant transition from the field to the media booth, following in his famous father's footsteps.

Zak, a Tight End, was a part of the Ohio State Buckeyes team that secured the College Football Playoff National Championship in 2025. Just months after that triumph, he was hired by On3 Media as a national college football analyst.

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His new role involves hosting a show called "Off Script with Zak Herbstreit," where he conducts in-depth conversations with prominent figures, coaches, and players in the college football world. This immediate pivot to a national media role is highly unusual for a recent college player and provides him with a unique, fresh perspective on the game, often discussing hot-button topics like the Transfer Portal and the expanded College Football Playoff.

Zak's career move is a testament to the family's deep ties to the sport's media landscape. It also highlights the growing trend of current and former players leveraging their knowledge and social media presence to launch media careers quickly.

The Twin Path: Jake and Tye's Journey Through the ACC and Big Ten

The two oldest sons, Tye and Jake Herbstreit, are twins who started their college football careers together at a major ACC program before charting slightly different paths.

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Tye Herbstreit: The Clemson Wide Receiver

Tye Herbstreit chose to attend Clemson University, initially as a preferred walk-on, to play for coach Dabo Swinney. He is currently a Wide Receiver (WR) for the Tigers. Tye's decision to join the Clemson program meant the Herbstreit family was split early on, with Kirk often having to balance his professional duties with his personal cheering interests when Ohio State and Clemson faced off in the College Football Playoff.

Jake Herbstreit: A Buckeye Cornerback

Like his twin, Jake Herbstreit began his collegiate career as a preferred walk-on Cornerback (CB) at Clemson. However, he eventually transferred to his father's alma mater, the Ohio State Buckeyes. While his on-field impact has been limited, his presence on the roster further cemented the family's deep connection to the Ohio State program, which was a clear goal for both Jake and Zak.

The collective careers of Jake, Tye, Zak, and Chase Herbstreit paint a picture of a family fully immersed in the high-stakes world of modern college football. From playing for national powerhouses like the Ohio State Buckeyes and Clemson Tigers to the dramatic commitment to the rival Michigan Wolverines and a rapid transition into a national media role, the Herbstreit sons are ensuring their family name remains synonymous with the sport for the foreseeable future.